Are cafés your cup of tea?

23 June 2026 — lia-rogers

Cancer cafés are growing in popularity and number on Cancer Care Map. These are often community lead spaces, sometimes with support from charities like Macmillan, that give those affected by cancer the opportunity to meet in an informal, social environment.

You might find it more relaxing to socialise in spaces where what you are going through is understood by default. You might be looking for advice or signposting to other support. Sometimes, you just want to have a good chat. And it doesn’t have to be about cancer. Cancer cafés are there to help you feel less alone in what can be a vulnerable time.

A cancer café isn’t like a chain restaurant – no two will be the same. Some offer complimentary refreshments, some professional information, some are run by people with a lived experience of cancer that want to offer informal advice and companionship. And there are often several in any given area, so type in your postcode on our homepage and see what’s available near you. Rather than being open all day every day, most cancer cafés are held at specific times – either transforming a local café into a dedicated space, or using community venues.

To give you a taste of what you might find, here are some recent additions and highlights:

Friends Altogether in Rother (FAiR) have a cancer café in Playden for people living with or beyond cancer including loved ones and carers. Meet others with shared experiences and receive peer support, advice and information. This includes professional advice provided by Macmillan, mental health wellness support, financial support, complementary hand massages provided by A Touch of Gentleness and Pets As Therapy (PAT) with Ted.

CASC – New Cancer Awareness and Support Cafés in the Somerset area aiming to provide a safe, warm and welcoming space where you can access trusted information, meet others with shared experiences and get support. The café is for anyone concerned about symptoms, waiting for tests, or navigating the early stages of cancer diagnosis and it includes clear signposting to NHS services, screening programmes, specialist care, charities, and community support. Find your nearest CASC by putting your postcode into the CCM homepage.

Comfort Cancer Café in Telford is a monthly peer support group offering support and information to people affected by cancer. It aims to provide comfort, compassion, and understanding whether you’re currently undergoing treatment, living beyond cancer, or supporting a loved one. Meeting on the last Monday of every month, 3pm to 4.30pm. No need to book, you can drop in.

Cancer Talk Cafe in Rawmarsh is a peer support group for adults affected by cancer, including loved ones and carers. It aims to offer an informal space to meet others with shared experiences. Held in person every other Monday, 2pm to 4pm. Refreshments are provided. You can drop in for some, or all, of that time.

Of course, cancer cafés aren’t the only option when it comes to combatting loneliness or nurturing connection. If you’re a business owner, have a look at The Chatty Cafe Scheme – a not for profit organisation encouraging cafés and other venues to have a designated table where customers can sit if they want to talk to other customers. It also runs virtual Zoom cafes and has phone befriending for adults. 

Remember, support is there for everyone affected by cancer – loved ones and carers too – through diagnosis, treatment, and life after cancer.

Initiatives like the Chatty Café scheme and the people running cancer cafés are taking an active interest in connecting around shared experience. If this sounds like something you’d like to do, have a chat with Macmillan or your local cancer alliance. Having somewhere to go when you need a bit of company is so important, so let’s raise our teacups to all those striving to build community within our communities.